Collapsible space heater and dryer for clothing



A. M. FOOTE 3,160,482

COLLAPSIBLE SPACE HEATER AND DRYER FOR CLOTHING Dec. 8, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 13, 1961 Fig. 7

Allen M F oafe INVENTOR.

A, M. FOOTE 3,

COLLAPSIBLE SPACE HEATER AND DRYER FOR CLOTHING Dec. 8, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 13, 1961 Fig. 5

Allen M. F oofe INVENTOR. BY w United States Patent 3,1dih482GOLLAPSIELE SPACE 'IEA'EER AND DB FUR CLOTHING Allen M. Foote,Dampp=Chaser, inc, R0. Eon 1641, Hendersonville, NE. Filed duty 13,1961, No. 123,745 Claims. (Cl. 34- 163) The present invention generallyrelates to a heating and drying device primarily adapted for use in thehome such as in the bathroom, kitchen or the like, the device servingnot only to dry small articles of clothing in a rapid and expeditiousmanner but also serving as a space heater.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a combinationspace heater and dryer having a detachable base for supporting a cabinetor framework in upright condition but enabling the base to be removedfor ease of storage of the device in a compact manner, the base being inthe nature of a trough in order to catch any drippage that may occurfrom the articles of clothing being dried.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a space heater anddryer having an extensible and retractable hanger element at the topthereof for receiving blouses, shirts or the like for retaining them intheir natural condition when being dried. This hanger also enables thedevice to be suspended from a suitable support such as a shower rod inthe bathroom so that the articles of clothing may be disposed above abathtub or the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide acombined space heater and dryer constructed with spaced vertical heatingpanels having heating elements therein in which the panels are providedwith a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal slots therein formingmeans for receiving small articles of clothing therethrough such asstockings or the like so that such articles may be readily dried andincreasing the capacity of the device for drying clothes. In addition,this feature enables more effective circulation of air due to convectioncurrents when used as a space heater.

A further important feature of the present invention is the provision ofa space heater and dryer in which the device acts somewhat in the natureof a heated screen especially useful as a portable space heater whichwould be quite eifective in eliminating cold walls in a home or thelike.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portablecombined space heater and dryer which is light in weight, completelyportable, small in size, provided with simple control, safe in operationand generally inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the combination space heater and dryerof the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse, plan sectional view taken substantially upon aplane passing along section line 2 2. of FIGURE 1 illustrating furtherstructural details of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view generally along thecenter of the heater and dryer illustrating the construction of theslots and other structural features of the device including the trough;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale illustrating one ofthe heating segments in one side panel;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the construction ofthe slot assembly taken substantially upon section line 55 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse detailed sectional view of the construction ofFIGURE 5 illustrating the orientation of the components at one end ofone of the slots; and

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical layout of the heatingelements and appropriate controls including a switch and thermostat.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates the combined space heater and dryer of the present inventionwhich includes a supporting base generally designated by the numeral 12and an upright cabinet or enclosure generally designated by numeral 14.

The upright cabinet or enclosure 14 includes end walls 16 which aregenerally rectangular in configuration and are parallel to each other.The end walls 16 have vertically disposed reinforcing tubes or rods 18at each side edge thereof and the rods 18 are interconnected bytransverse tubes 2t) and longitudinal tubes 22 thus forming a rigidframework. Integral with the end walls 16 is a plurality of heatingpanels generally designated by numeral 24 each of which includes a panel26 having continuous tubular portions 218 and 39 formed on the top andbottom edges thereof which encircle an opposed pair of tubes or rods 22as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The tubular portions 28 and 3d terminate inflanges 32 and a closure panel 34 is provided in opposed spaced relationto the panel 26 thus forming a hollow heating panel. Disposed within theinterior of the hollow heating panel 24 is a resistance type heatingelement 36 disposed in a serpentine manner and secured in place by anysuitable means. The heating elements are secured in insulated relationto the heating panel by any suitable means and the heating capacity ofthe heating elements may be varied as desired.

The ends of the panels 24 are interconnected by a down ward continuationof the lower tubular member 30 as indicated at 38 in FIGURES 4 and 5.The interconnecting element 33 connects the lower tube 36 with the uppertube 23 of an adjacent lower panel 24. Also, the interconnecting element38 is provided with side Walls 40 forming continuations of the bottomtube 39 which cooperate to form a tubular passageway for receiving theelectrical conductors forming the heating elements so that the variouspanels are interconnected by virtue of the wires therefor extendingaround the end edges of the slots defined by the tubular members 28 and30 and as designated by numeral 42. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, theslots 42 are horizontally disposed and enlarged so that small articlesof clothing such as stockings 44 or the like may be partially insertedthrough the slots 42 and rested upon the top surface of the tubularmember 28 thus enabling rapid drying of the article of clothing. Theslots also will enable convection circulation of air into the interiorof the space heater after which said air will be heated and rise fromthe open top of the cabinet or enclosure 14.

Once the heating panels 24 are formed, the entire structure will beunitary since the panel 26 will be rigidly afilxed to the flanges 32.This material may be highly reflective and the heating elements areinsulated therefrom in any suitable manner. For example, the heatingpanels could be constructed of a heavy gage metallic foil or sheet metalof a suitable type having sufiicient rigidity for the purposes intendedbut still being relatively lightweight. Por providing control for theheating elements, a control switch 46 is provided adjacent the bottom ofone of the end panels 16. An electrical conductor 47 is connected to thecabinet or enclosure 14 by a suitable junction box 43 and a male plugmay be provided on the outer end of the electrical conductor in theusual manner of electrical appliances. Also, a rheostat or thermostatcontrol may be provided wherever desired for purposes of controlling thetemperature of the electrical resistance heating elements and thedetails of the controls form no part of the invention in that thecontrols are conventional in and of themselves.

The base 12 includes two upwardly inclined side panels 52 and twoupwardly inclined end panels 54 which are interconnected with each otherand a peripheral upturned edge 56 is provided which forms a trough forcollecting any water which may drip from the articles of clothing 44.Disposed intermediate the center of the base and the upturned edge 56 isa peripheral recess or groove defined by an integral channel-shapedmember 53 which opens towards the top surface of the panels 52 and 54.The channel-shaped members 53 communicating with the upper surface ofthe base form a groove for releasably receiving the lower end of thecabinet 44 by virtue of the lower end of the cabinet 44 telescoping intothe channelshaped member 53. The frictional engagement between the lowerend of the cabinet 14 and the channel-shaped member 58 will serve tofrictionally retain the cabinet 14 in place but yet enable the base tobe removed when it is desired to store the device or when it is desiredto hang the device over a bathtub or the like in which event the troughor base is not required.

In order to enable any water discharged interiorly of the device to beremoved therefrom, the bottom edge portion of the lowermost panels 24are provided with a plurality of openings 6d therethrough which formdrain openings from the interior to the exterior of the cabinet orenclosure 14 thus enabling any drippage that may occur interiorly of theenclosure V- to be discharged down the inclined surface of the panels 54into the trough formed by the upstanding edge 56. This will hold thewater away from the panel with the least possible exposed surface areato prevent reevaporation which would slow down the drying action of theclothes.

Disposed centrally in the open top of the enclosure 14'- is a wirehanger 62 having the usual centrally disposed hook 64 thereon so thatthe entire assembly may be supported from a suitable rod such as ashower rod or the like when in use and the device may also be stored byhanging it from any suitable support. The wire rod hanger 62 is ofsubstantially conventional shape and configuration for supporting anarticle of clothing such as a blouse, shirt or the like. However, thewire rod hanger 62 is provided with downwardly extending vertical rods66 which are slidably received between the inner and outer panels of theend walls 16 and an interconnecting top wall forming part of the endwalls. The wire rod 66 is frictionally engaged with the end walls andthe hanger 62 thus may be extended or retracted in relation to thecabinet it}. A suitable enlargement or the like may be provided on thelower end of the rod as to prevent it from being pulled out of the topend of the enclosure 14. The transverse rods iii are provided withsuitable apertures 68 for enabling the vertical movement of the wirerods 66. Additionally, the vertical movement of the hanger 62 willenable the hanger to be extended for positioning the garment in placethereon after which the garment and the hanger may be lowered togetherso that the garment will be disposed in complete encircling relation tothe enclosure 14 thus facilitating the drying of the garment. When thegarment is dry, the hanger may again .be elevated at which time thegarment may be easily removed.

A laterally extending wavy wire 7t) is rigidly aifixed to the base ofhook 64 and extends horizontally outwardly from each side thereof toreceive additional conventional wire rod hangers 72 so that severalgarments may be supported in vertically adjusted position. Adjustment ofhanger 62 enables one garment to be positioned over the outside of bothpanels and extend as high or as low as desired and additional clothingcan be folded over one or more hangers supported from wire member Til orgarments may be folded and hung directly on wire '79. Additionallyhangers may be supported from member 7% so that an entire garment of anysize such as shirts,

,ieaaea dresses, socks and the like can be lowered completely insideenclosure 14 so that they will be disposed intermediate the heatedpanels.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and ccuivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A combined space heater and dryer comprising a generally verticallydisposed cabinet including vertical spaced parallel heating panelassemblies, end walls interconnecting said panel assemblies thusdefining an open top enclosure, each of said heating panel assemblieshaving horizontally disposed slots formed therein for receiving articlesof clothing hung therethrough, a removable base, said base including anupwardly opening peripheral groove telescopically and releasablyreceiving the lower end of the cabinet forming the enclosure, said basecomprising a plurality of panels extending downwardly and outwardly froma centrally located peak, an upstanding peripheral edge on the baselocated outwardly from the heating panel assemblies and forming a troughthereon for collecting any drippage from articles of clothing andholdingthe water away from the enclosure with the least possible exposedsurface area to prevent evaporation which would slow down the dryingaction.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said heatingpanel assemblies is provided with a plurality of apertures adjacent thebottom edge thereof and in alignment with the top surface of the basefor enabling drainage of water from the center of the enclosure to theoutside periphery of the base.

3. A dryer comprising a generally vertically disposed cabinet includingvertical spaced parallel heating panels, heating elements disposed insaid heating panels substantially the full height thereof, and end wallsinterconnecting said panels thus defining an open end drying enclosurefor the reception of garments to be dried, base including a plurality ofdownwardly and outwardly inclined panels extendi-n g from a centralpeak, an upwardly opening peripheral groove formed in said base panelsabout said central peak intermediate the upper and lower ends of thepanels, the lower end of the drying enclosure being telescopicallyreceived in said groove, a plurality of drain openings located throughthe heating panels in line with the upper edge of the peripheral groove,and an upstanding peripheral edge on the base forming a trough thereonfor collecting drippage from the garments and holding the water remotefrom the enclosure.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the upper end of saidenclosure is provided with at least one wire rod hanger having a hook onthe upper end thereof projecting outwardly therefrom for selectiveengagement with a support, and depending rod members on said hanger invertical sliding engagement with the end walls whereby the hanger may bevertically extended for placing a garment thereon and then retracted forenabling disposal of the garment in enclosing relation to the enclosure.

A dryer comprising a generally vertically disposed cabinet includingvertical spaced parallel heating panels, heating elements disposed insaid heating panels substantially the full height thereof, each of saidheating panels having at least one horizontally disposed slot formedtherein tor receiving articles of clothing hung therethrough, and endwalls interconnecting said panels so as to define an open end dryingenclosure for the reception of garments; said dryer further including abase consisting of a plurality of downwardly and outwardly inclinedpanels extending from a central peak, an upwardly opening peripheralgroove formed in said base panels about said central peak intermediatethe upper and lower ends of the .base panels, the lower end of thedrying enclosure being telescopically received in said groove, aplurality of drain openings located through the heating panels in linewith the upper edge of the peripheral groove, and an upstandingperipheral edge on the base forming a trough thereon for collectingdrippage from the garments and holding the Water remote from theenclosure; a wire rod hanger, said Wire rod hanger having a hook on theupper end thereof projecting outwardly therefrom for selectiveengagement with a support, and depending rod members on said hanger invertical sliding engagement with the enclosure end wall whereby thehanger may be vertically raised relative to the enclosure for placing agarment thereupon and retracted for enabling disposal of the garment inenclosing relation to the enclosure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS220,649 Atwood Sept. 30, 1879 1,752,797 Hutchinson Apr. 1, 19301,867,388 Snively July 12, 1932 2,064,389 Smith Dec. 15, 1936 2,852,861.lallell Sept. 23, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS a 598,463 Great Britain Feb 18,1948

1. A COMBINED SPACE HEATER AND DRYER COMPRISING A GENERALLY VERTICALLYDISPOSED CABINET INCLUDING VERTICAL SPACED PARALLEL HEATING PANELASSEMBLIES, END WALLS INTERCONNECTING SAID PANEL ASSEMBLIES THUSDEFINING AN OPEN TOP ENCLOSURE, EACH OF SAID HEATING PANEL ASSEMBLIESHAVING HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SLOTS FORMED THEREIN FOR RECEIVING ARTICLESOF CLOTHING HUNG THERETHROUGH, A REMOVABLE BASE, SAID BASE INCLUDING ANUPWARDLY OPENING PERIPHERAL GROOVE TELSECOPICALLY AND RELEASABLYRECEIVING THE LOWER END OF THE CABINET FORMING THE ENCLOSURE, SAID BASECONPRISING A PLURALITY OF PANNELS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLYFROM A CENTRALLY LOCATED PEAK, AN UPSTANDING PERIPHERAL EDGE ON THE BASELOCATED OUTWARDLY FROM THE HEATING PANEL ASSEMBLIES AND FORMING A TROUGHTHEREON FOR COLLECTING ANY DRIPPAGE FROM ARTICLES OF CLOTHING ANDHOLDING THE WATER AWAY FROM THE ENCLOSURE WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLEEXPOSED SURFACE AREA TO PREVENT EVAPORATION WHICH WOULD SLOW DOWN THEDRYING ACTION.